This One Pot Lasagna Soup is everything you love about classic lasagna but made easier and cozier in soup form. It’s loaded with smoky bacon, savory Italian sausage, tender noodles, and a creamy tomato broth. Topped with gooey mozzarella, creamy ricotta (or pesto ricotta), and buttery cheesy toast, it’s pure comfort food in a bowl. The best part? Everything comes together in one pot with minimal cleanup.
This delicious creamy lasagna soup recipe is inspired by the viral TikTok lasagna soup! It’s made in one pot, so cleanup is easier than soup made on the stovetop. By including sausage and bacon (instead of ground beef), the flavor is even bolder and more delicious.
If you’re looking for more traditional lasagna recipes, try my Lasagna with Béchamel Sauce or my Veggie Lasagna With White Sauce! These are great for family gatherings or having a few friends over for dinner. These dishes are the ultimate comfort food!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One Pot Wonder: Less cleanup, all the flavor.
- Cozy & Hearty: Perfect for chilly nights when you’re craving comfort food.
- Cheesy Toppings: Customizable with mozzarella, ricotta, or even pesto ricotta.
- Lasagna Flavor, No Layering: All the classic flavors without the fuss of baking.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Bacon: Adds smokiness and depth. Pancetta is a great swap, or you can omit it entirely if you prefer a lighter soup.
- Italian Sausage: Use mild for a classic flavor or hot for extra heat. Ground pork, beef, or turkey work well if sausage isn’t available.
- Olive Oil: Just a touch helps sauté the vegetables. Any neutral oil (avocado, canola, vegetable) will do.
- Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and body. White onion, shallots, or even leeks can be used instead.
- Carrots: Bring a subtle sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Swap with parsnips or omit if you don’t like carrots.
- Celery: Adds earthy flavor and aroma. Fennel bulb is a tasty substitute with a mild anise note.
- Garlic: Fresh cloves give the best flavor. In a pinch, substitute with 1–1½ teaspoons granulated garlic or garlic powder.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme. You can make your own mix or substitute with dried oregano and basil.
- Red Chili Flakes: For a subtle heat. Adjust to taste or omit if you prefer mild. A pinch of cayenne or hot paprika works too.
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
- Granulated Sugar (optional): Helps cut the acidity of the tomatoes. Honey can be used instead.
- Chicken Broth or Stock: Adds a savory backbone. Vegetable broth works for a meatless version. Beef broth gives a richer, deeper flavor.
- Crushed Tomatoes with Basil: A high-quality canned tomato makes a big difference. Fire-roasted tomatoes add extra smokiness. If you don’t have basil tomatoes, use plain crushed and add 1–2 teaspoons dried basil.
- Tomato Sauce: Adds body and a smooth texture. Passata or puréed tomatoes can also be used.
- Lasagna Noodles: Break into bite-sized pieces before adding. Mafaldine, bowtie, or campanelle pasta are excellent alternatives.
- Half & Half or Heavy Cream: Makes the soup creamy and rich. Use whole milk for a lighter option.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Freshly shredded melts best. Provolone or fontina are delicious swaps.
- Ricotta: Plain ricotta is classic, but stir in pesto for extra flavor. Cottage cheese (blended until smooth) works as a budget-friendly substitute.
- Cheesy Toast: Optional, but highly recommended! Use any crusty bread topped with butter and cheese. Garlic bread makes a great alternative.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
How to Make One Pot Lasagna Soup
Quick Overview
- Cook the meat.
- Sauté ingredients.
- Add broth & noodles.
- Add dairy.
- Serve with cheese.
Step by Step Instructions
Leave the sausage/bacon grease in the pan for extra flavor.
Cook the Meal: In a large Dutch oven or pot, add the bacon and sausage. Sauté until brown. Do not drain the grease.
Sauté Veggies: Add the olive oil, onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 6-8 minutes or until softened. Add more olive oil if the vegetables look dry.
Add Aromatics: Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, red chili flakes, salt, and sugar if using. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant.
Build the Broth & Add Noodles: Stir in the chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil. Using your hands, break 1-2 lasagna noodles into bite-sized at a time over the pot. Repeat with all of the noodles.
Simmer: Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the lasagna noodles reach desired tenderness. Stir occasionally.
Make it Creamy: Once the noodles are cooked, remove the lid and stir in the half and half. Serve with shredded mozzarella cheese, ricotta, and cheesy toast.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
Garnish this creamy lasagna soup with parmesan cheese, fresh Italian parsley, and a sprinkle of dried red pepper flakes (for extra heat).
I love serving this delicious creamy lasagna soup (Tiktok-inspired) with warm bread. Here are some of my favorite recipes:
- French Bread Recipe: This recipe is bakery-worthy but simple enough for beginners.
- Garlic Bread Rolls: These rolls are soft, buttery, and infused with rosemary and garlic.
- Rustic Bread: You only need 4 ingredients to make it and no sourdough starter.
If you’re looking for other side dish options, check out my post on What To Serve With Lasagna Soup! I’ve compiled a list of 18 of the best sides to choose from.
Expert Tips
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Overcooking the pasta will leave you with mushy, overly soft lasagna noodles. Ensure you leave the noodles out until the end for the best results.
- Use High-Quality Canned Tomatoes: They make a huge difference in flavor.
- Stir Occasionally: This prevents the noodles from sticking together.
- Add Cream Right Before Serving: When making creamy lasagna soup, add the cream as the last step before the toppings. Adding dairy to creamy lasagna soup with sausage too early can lead to curdled milk or a separated broth.
- Break Up the Noodles: Broken lasagna noodles make this soup easier to eat. Ensure you break the pasta noodles up before adding them to the soup.
Most Common Mistakes
- Not Browning the Meat Properly: Skipping a deep golden-brown sear on the sausage and bacon means missing out on tons of flavor. Take your time here.
- Adding the Noodles Too Early: If you toss in the pasta before the soup is boiling, they can turn gummy and unevenly cooked.
- Using Too Much Cream: A splash adds richness, but too much can overpower the tomato base and make the soup heavy.
- Forgetting the Toppings: The mozzarella, ricotta, and cheesy toast transform this from “pasta soup” into true lasagna-in-a-bowl.
Additions & Variations
- Veggies: Add spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms in step 2.
- Spicy Kick: Use hot Italian sausage and extra chili flakes.
- Herby Twist: Stir in fresh basil or parsley before serving.
- Protein Swap: Try ground chicken, turkey, or even lentils for a lighter option.
Recipe FAQs
Creamy lasagna soup is a recipe made famous by Tiktok. It includes many ingredients that would normally be in lasagna, like ricotta, lasagna noodles, and mozzarella cheese. Because it shares many of the same ingredients, it tastes quite similar to lasagna.
As ricotta sits in the fridge, it can become “watery” since it has a high moisture content. You can use a cheesecloth to gently squeeze out excess moisture before using it in recipes.
For a thicker creamy pasta sauce (or a thicker broth in this creamy lasagna soup), add a cornstarch flurry and continue cooking for a few extra minutes. You can also add extra cheese directly into the soup/sauce for a thicker consistency.
One big no-no when making lasagna (or lasagna soup) is overcooking the noodles. It makes the dish more challenging to eat and can offer a mushy or overly crunchy (baked lasagna) consistency.
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One Pot Lasagna Soup (EASY)
Ingredients
- 5 slices bacon, diced
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot
- 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 2 large celery ribs, chopped
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2-1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon Morton kosher salt*
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, optional
- 4 cups chicken broth or stock
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes with basil
- 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 8 lasagna noodles
- 1 cup half and half or heavy cream
- mozzarella cheese, for topping
- plain ricotta or pesto ricotta, for topping*
- cheesy toast, for topping*
Instructions
- Cook the Meat: In a large Dutch oven or pot, add the bacon and sausage. Sauté until brown. Do not drain the grease.5 slices bacon, diced, 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot
- Sauté Veggies: Add the olive oil, onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 6-8 minutes or until softened. Add more olive oil if the vegetables look dry.1-2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 yellow onion, diced, 2 large carrots, chopped, 2 large celery ribs, chopped
- Add Aromatics: Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, red chili flakes, salt, and sugar if using. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant.8 cloves garlic, minced, 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1/2-1 teaspoon red chili flakes, 1/2 teaspoon Morton kosher salt*, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, optional
- Build the Broth & Add Noodles: Stir in the chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil. Using your hands, break 1-2 lasagna noodles into bite-sized at a time over the pot. Repeat with all of the noodles.4 cups chicken broth or stock, 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes with basil, 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce, 8 lasagna noodles
- Simmer: Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the lasagna noodles reach desired tenderness. Stir occasionally.
- Make it Creamy: Once the noodles are cooked, remove the lid and stir in the half and half. Serve with shredded mozzarella cheese, ricotta, and cheesy toast.1 cup half and half or heavy cream, mozzarella cheese, for topping, plain ricotta or pesto ricotta, for topping*, cheesy toast, for topping*
Notes
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
- Red Chili Flakes: For a subtle heat. Adjust to taste or omit if you prefer mild. A pinch of cayenne or hot paprika works too.
- Ricotta: Plain ricotta is classic, but stir in pesto for extra flavor. Cottage cheese (blended until smooth) works as a budget-friendly substitute.
- Cheesy Toast: Optional, but highly recommended! Use any crusty bread topped with butter and cheese. Garlic bread makes a great alternative.
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Overcooking the pasta will leave you with mushy, overly soft lasagna noodles. Ensure you leave the noodles out until the end for the best results.
- Use High-Quality Canned Tomatoes: They make a huge difference in flavor.
- Stir Occasionally: This prevents the noodles from sticking together.
- Add Cream Right Before Serving: When making creamy lasagna soup, add the cream as the last step before the toppings. Adding dairy to creamy lasagna soup with sausage too early can lead to curdled milk or a separated broth.
- Break Up the Noodles: Broken lasagna noodles make this soup easier to eat. Ensure you break the pasta noodles up before adding them to the soup.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love lasagne but have never tried the lasagne soup. What a fantastic recipe! I cannot wait to make it! Thank you for sharing
Enjoy!!